J.J. Adams: End of era for Canada's most unheralded sporting star, Atiba Hutchinson

The rise of the Alphonso Davies era is counter-balanced by the end of Atiba Hutchinson's. He never achieved the recognition at home that Davies has been bestowed, but Hutchinson is one of the most beloved figures in one of the world's most soccer-mad countries.

“I’m going to say some crazy things,” Julian de Guzman, a Canadian soccer legend in his own right, told Postmedia News — two years ago.

“(Hutchinson) has accomplished everything with a Canadian passport and a Canadian jersey. He was loyal to his country. For the type of performances he’s produced for club and country at the top level … He should be getting $6 million (from a Major League Soccer club). I don’t understand why he isn’t.”

Hutchinson’s story is old. It never changes. But it will end.

And, Canada, you likely won’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.

Sunday afternoon at B.C. Place Stadium, when Canada hosts French Guiana in their final Nations League qualifying game, is likely the final time they will be able to see Hutchinson live in Canadian red in his home country. Kickoff is 3 p.m.

The 36-year-old has said he plans to retire after this year’s Gold Cup tournament, ending a senior national team career that started Jan. 1, 2003, in a friendly against the United States.

The defensive midfielder is sitting on 80 appearances and 76 starts for the senior side, with seven goals and six assists, and if he plays against French Guiana, will tie Dwayne De Rosario for fourth-most games played for Canada. Randy Samuel (82) and Paul Stalteri (84) are within reach on the list, though the all-time leader (de Guzman, 89) might keep his record should Hutchinson retire.

“(Retirement) is in the back of my head right now. Unless I’m feeling amazing at the end of the summer,” said the 6-2, Brampton, Ont., product, and six-time Canada Soccer player of the year.

“To be honest, I’ve been feeling better and better. I had (ankle) surgery at the end of last season, and I’m feeling better. My body feels a lot looser. It’s the best I’ve felt in two years. Obviously, the legs are not the same, but we’ll see.”

He looks much the same player who debuted in 2003 alongside Rob Friend — all endlessly pumping legs, elbows and angles, albeit with a little less hair now — but, admittedly, his pace has slowed.

“I was getting up there. That was probably the highest I’ve ever jumped,” he laughed Tuesday at UBC, where the national team is training this week.

“If I could get a little more of that, I might keep pushing myself (and not retire). We’ll see how it goes over the next few months. I’m taking it one day at a time. I’m just enjoying my football.”

The irony of Hutchinson’s career is that he is a beloved player, a Teflon legend whose reputation will never be sullied — just not in his own country. The past six seasons he has become an iconic figure playing for Beşiktaş J.K. in the Turkish Super League, leading his team to back-to-back titles in 2015-16 and 2016-17.

Disciplined, calm and efficient on the ball, Hutchinson holds the team record for most appearances by a foreign-born player with 164 games.

He isn’t just the heart of the Beşiktaş — he practically is Beşiktaş. He is universally respected in Turkey, even by rival teams Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe — which is like a Hatfield saying something nice about a McCoy, or Donald Trump doffing his hat to Hillary Clinton.

The Black Eagles, in the midst of a search for a new coach, are reportedly set to move on from him when his contract expires in June, though it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him stay close to Vodafone Park in Istanbul. His three sons were all born there, both he and his wife love the city as much as it loves them, and his stature within the organization could see him return in a non-playing role.

For this week, his attention is focused on the national team and a game that would clinch an all-important berth in the Gold Cup.

“It’s always nice coming here with the national team, with these young, vibrant guys. We’ve got so much talent in this squad. It’s definitely the best I’ve seen since I’ve been here. Coming here is just a joy for me,” he said.

“(The game) is very important for us. It also means a lot for us … getting into the Gold Cup, the Nations League … It’s the start of a new year for us. To have a good start, we want to make sure we go out there and score some goals, not concede any, and build off what we’ve got going on. It’s an important game, for sure.”

His sporting legacy abroad is secure, but at home, it remains to be seen how he’ll be remembered in his own country. Maybe, finally, his story will change.

“I don’t know. I think I’ve put in my work here. I’ve spent a long time (with the national program),” he said. “I’ve worked hard, I’ve given everything. (My legacy?) That’s up to everybody else to say.

“But it would be nice to finish off on a high note. I’ve been speaking about it with the coaches … it would be nice to get sent off as a champion.”

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